HEALTH MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND NETWORK-BASED HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND MEDICAL RECORDS MAINTENANCE SYSTEM

摘要

A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system. The meter writes patient data to a smartcard. This patient data typically includes patient identification information, the test results, the diagnostic information, and the diagnostic results. A computer station reads the smartcard and establishes a network connection with a health report server over the Internet. The computer then downloads the patient data to the health report server, which prepares a comprehensive health report. Within minutes, this report is transmitted back to the computer station, where it is printed out and delivered to the patient.

主权项

1. A test medium for use with a health monitoring device, comprising:
a test strip for receiving and carrying a sample of biological fluid or tissue; the test strip carrying the sample of biological fluid or tissue being readable by the health monitoring device to obtain test results based on the sample of biological tissue or fluid and calibration data specific to the test strip; the test strip corresponding to a memory device readable by the health monitoring device, the memory device storing a code number and the calibration data; the test strip having an associated test strip identification number that is mathematically derivable from the code number; the test strip identification number being receivable by the health monitoring device through a user input device; and the test strip identification number being usable to activate the health monitoring device for use with the test strip only if the received test strip identification number corresponds to a test strip identification number mathematically derived by the health monitoring device based on the code number read from the memory device.